That old saying, “It’s
not what you know but who you know that counts” is not always true, but today
it came up rosy in a surprising way.
In general, theologians study the Bible with a goal of
figuring out what it says by examining facts, information, doing synthesis and methods
such as systematic study, deduction, parsing sentences, word studies, and
learning the original languages of Greek and Hebrew. They analyze and theorize.
Much of their study is academic rather than personal and mostly about what they
know.
Another way to study the Bible is personal, devotional and
applicational, reading it to hear God speak. The method is often called “Lectio Divina” (Latin for ‘divine
reading). It may be inductive (What does it say? What does it mean? How does
that apply to me?) However, the main difference from academic study is simply
letting the Holy Spirit use the Word of God to tell me what God says. It is
mostly about Who I know.
Is one method better than the other? The ideal is a blend
of the two. That is, study with the tools and skills available, but also listen
with all my heart so that I hear God speak and obey what He says. The process
might be something like this . . .
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:97–104)
The psalmist reads the Word of God and thinks about it
during the day. He applies it to life. Because of his personal engagement with
it, he understands it better than the academics who have taught him and better
than those who are older than he is but have not followed their knowledge with
obedience. The psalmist knows he cannot keep the Word of God without giving up
sin so keeps his focus on what God is saying to him. He is not resentful of the
‘rules’ or spiritual principles that govern his life. Instead he sees them as
rich understanding that he loves in sharp contrast to false ways of life that
he has learned to hate.
This brings to mind a New Testament principle. It is
hinted at in this verse about eating food offered to idols:
“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Aside from the main idea regarding eating, this verse
slips in the reality that mere knowledge, no matter how it is gained, is an
excuse for vanity. I know what it is like to think I am better than others
because I know stuff that they do not know. This is a snare. It feeds pride and
pride is a root of all sorts of sin. It makes me unloving toward people as I
mentally and verbally exalt myself by tearing them down. Pride is nasty.
I could tell stories on seminary professors but only need
to look in the mirror to illustrate the difference between ‘study for knowledge’ and ‘study
to hear and obey God.’ Many profs know how to personally apply what they
learn. They become the very best teachers because instead of feeding their
students mere information, their exemplary lives become the main part of the
lesson.
^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, You are speaking to me. I’ve many negative and
positive examples of how different study methods come out in the lives of
spiritual leaders, but need to pay attention to myself. It is important to get
the facts right, but more important to have my life in line with Your
principles. The mouth can speak and give out good information yet ‘walking the
talk’ is vital because it shows how Your Word and Your amazing grace have the
power to transform lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment